The American Rental Association last week announced its partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau to help spread the word to rental businesses about the significance of the 2010 Census study, data from which will affect critical decisions from congressional representation to the allocation of more than $300 billion annually in federal funds.
“Census data is used to guide local decision-makers on where to build new roads, hospitals, schools and more,” said Christine Wehrman, executive vice president and CEO of ARA. “This is a direct correlation to the equipment rental industry as many of these projects require the use of rental equipment. It becomes a winning combination of efforts by ARA supporting the census. By signing on as a partner, we are sending a strong message about the importance of the census and the benefits of being counted.”
Partnerships with for-profit and non-profit organizations and government entities are vital to raising awareness of and increasing participation in the 2010 Census. “The participation of community leaders, organizations and local governments can help make the 2010 Census the most accurate census in our nation’s history,” said Steve Murdock, director of the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 300 national partners have signed on to date.
The 2010 Census will have one of the shortest census questionnaires in the history of the United States, dating back to the nation’s first census in 1790. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, asking for questions about name, gender, age, race, ethnicity and home ownership. As always, participation is required by law and all answers remain strictly confidential. Residents can expect to see the census questionnaire arrive in March 2010 and census workers will be visiting those households that do not return the required information.
ARA is an international trade association for the owners of equipment rental businesses and the manufacturers and suppliers of construction/industrial, general tool, and party/event rental equipment.
